Four games into his head coaching career, it's hard to imagine a better start from Steve Hetzel and his Canton Charge.

The Charge are 4-0 and playing beautiful, unselfish basketball on both ends of the court, to a level that makes the usually stoic Hetzel crack a smile.

Even if it's for a moment.

"We always take wins," he said, "but we're never satisfied. We prepare as if we're desperate for a win."

They've had plenty of time to prepare. On Saturday, the Charge return to Erie, the site of their season-opening win against the BayHawks, before flying to Delaware for a Sunday game against the 87ers. Both games tip at 7 p.m.

The challenge is staying sharp. The Charge are in the midst of basically a week off. They last played Saturday.

"We were talking as a staff that we couldn't be more pleased with the focus and the energy and effort," Hetzel said of the daily practices at Edgewood Community Center. "These seasons become long and monotonous. As a staff we do our best to keep things fresh within practice so they're not getting bored and they enjoy coming to work each day. So far we've been good. That's the challenge for us, to be creative and still make sure they're getting better."

After these six days between games, Canton plays five games in eight days, followed by another six days off.

While the D-League schedule is erratic, the Charge have been steady.

The Charge rank first in the D-League in rebound percentage (54.5), second in field-goal percentage (48.6) and second in fewest points allowed per game (95.3).

Canton shoots nearly seven percentage points better than the opposition (48.6 percent to 41.9) and averages five more assists (19.3 to 14.3) per game.

Those are both significant stats for any basketball team.

"We always look at defensive field-goal percentage, and then we'd always like to shoot a high percentage ourselves," Hetzel said. "That just means we're taking the best shots available.

"The assists just mean that we're sharing the basketball. That's all we preach offensively: Space the floor the right way and find the open man."

The Charge have seven players averaging double-figure points. That would be eight players if they hadn't traded Tyrell Biggs to Reno earlier this week. Only one of their top eight players is shooting less than 45 percent from the field.

The Charge are thriving by playing team basketball in a league that often trends toward getting your own.

"I think sometimes in this league with guys trying to prove what they can do and trying to get out of the league, it becomes more of a selfish style of basketball," Hetzel said. "We just preach if you play the game the right way that you'll be noticed for being a good basketball player instead of someone who's just trying to highlight themselves."